Harriet Boyd Hawes - Pioneer, Nurse, and Excavator of Ancient Worlds

Send a textWelcome back to Speaking of Her. This week, it's Jess' turn to tell the story, and we're talking about Harriet Boyd Hawes — a trailblazing archaeologist, nurse, and lecturer whose determination broke through the barriers of her time.At the turn of the 20th century, archaeology was a field dominated by men — but Harriet refused to be sidelined. Defying societal expectations, she embarked on daring expeditions, unearthed groundbreaking discoveries in Crete, and became one of the first women to lead a major excavation. In this episode, we explore Harriet’s remarkable life:Her fight to be taken seriously in a male-dominated disciplineThe bold expedition that led to the discovery of the ancient Minoan town of GourniaHer courage and compassion serving as a nurse during warHow her work forever shaped the study of ancient civilizations and inspired generations of women scholarsHarriet Boyd Hawes wasn’t just uncovering the past — she was making history herself. This is the story of a woman whose legacy reminds us that passion, grit, and vision can change the world.Disclaimer: This episode includes discussions of war and gender discrimination.No Copyright infringement is intended.Sound credits:Mystery Adventure Intro by tyops -- https://freesound.org/s/577489/ -- License: Attribution 4.0No Copyright infringement is intended.